Tamper-proof package



Feb. 21, 1967 J. L.. HIGGINS ETAL 3,305,084

TAMPER-PROOF PACKAGE Filed oct. 19, 1965 246 f' L g zc-fl f 1625 .fg 24 5 2J j@ 16 j] 13b 23 17]; 1Nv ENTo 240 24d 5 Jaim/. Hggz,

. fr@ lhasa/Je, /f ,QZ/LM c @am United States Patent Oflce 3,305,034 Patented Feb. 2l, 1967 This invention relates to containers and more particularly to tamper proof containers for containing aplur'ality of hypodemic syringe assemblies and the'like. y

It has vbecome desirable and practical in hospitals-and the like to employ hypodermic-'syringe assemblies which are used only once and then disposed of. A plurality of such disposable syringes are preferably packaged in a compact container for subsequent withdrawal as needed. A preferred packagevconstruction includes a plurality of depressions in which the syringe assemblies are disposed in recessed position. Such an arrangement however makes it difficult for the user to remove the assembly from the package. This problem is compounded when means for making the package positively tamper proof are employed, such as means for indicating the previous removal of any of the individual syringe assemblies. The need to tamper proof such packages arises because the syringe assemblies are packaged in sterile condition and intended for one-time use only.

This known method of providing a tamper proof arrangement of objects in a package is to provide tear strips secured to each of the packagesand. objects so that when an object is removed the strip must be torn, thereby positively indicating to the user the previous removal of the object. Where the objects'are recessed in the package it is relatively diicult to obtain a grasp thereon suicient for tearing the strip. This probably can be achieved to some extent by making the package sufficiently large to provide access space surrounding the objects but this presents a further problem of making the package relatively large and bulky. The present invention comprehends an improved packaging arrangement wherein hypodermic syringe assemblies and the like may be packaged in a relatively compact arrangement while objects are being provided with tamper proof means of the tear strip type.

Thus a principal feature of this invention is to provide a new and improved tamper proof container for packaging a plurality of hypodermic syringe assemblies and the like.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a tamper proof container for packaging hypodermic syringe assemblies so that the assemblies may readily be removed individually from a compact recessed arrangement within the container.

A further feature of this invention is to provide such a container wherein the syringe assemblies are positioned in depressions in the container adapted for use of portions of a selected syringe assembly in cooperation with portions of the container for pivotally removing the assembly from its recessed position within the container.

Still another feature of this invention is to provide such a container for hypodermic syringe assemblies which is provided with a tear-strip tamper proof means which is torn when the selected syringe is removed from the container.

It is yet a further feature of this invention to provide such means wherein the hypodermic syringe is provided with a sealing cap retained on the assembly to provide a gripping means facilitating ready removal of the assembly from the container.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is a top plan view of a package of hypodermic syringe assemblies embodying the invention, with a portion of the container lid being cut away for facilitating the illustration;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, transverse vertical section taken substantially along the line 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. l; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along the line 4 4 of FIG. l, and showing` in broken lines a syringe assembly in a tilted, partially removed position.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a containerV generally designated C isv shown to comprise .a body, or receiving portion 11, designed to receive one or more sterile, disposable hypo-` dermic syringe assemblies generally designated 12. The

body is preferably molded of transparent relatively thin plastic and includes support means which provides for facilitated removal of the syringe assemblies from the package. The container includes a tearable paper strip tamper proof indicator 13 which indicates whenever a selected syringe assembly has been removed therefrom. The container may be provided with a transparent plastic cover 14 to protect the sterile syringe assemblies.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the body portion 11 of the container is provided with support means for receiving a plurality of hypodermic syringe assemblies 12 in a recessed arrangement so that a substantial portion of each assembly is disposed below vthe horizontal upper plane of the body portion, as seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3, to facilitate protecting the assemblies when positioned therein. The support means comprises a plurality of spaced parallel support ribs 16, 17 and 18, FIG. 1, molded as an integral part of the plastic body portion of the container. As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the ribs is formed with a plurality of transverse ridges 16a, 17a and 18a, respectively, with troughs 161;, 17b and 18h respectively therebetween. The ridges and troughs of each rib is in alignment within the ridges and troughs of the other two ribs to provide a supporting means for the longitudinal syringe assemblies placed transversely thereon to retain the assemblies side by side in parallel relation. For instance, the troughs 1612', 17b' and 18h provide a recessed protective position for a single syringe assembly placed therein. Referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the rib 16, being spaced inwardly from the bottom 11b of the container, delines a free spa-ce 19 subjacent an enlarged end 12a of the syringe assembly to permit movement of the enlarged end 12a thereinto by tilting the barrel 21 about the rib 16 such that the opposite end of the assembly is swung upwardly and outwardly relative to the body portion to permit manual grasping thereof for removing the assembly from the container. The enlarged end of the assembly 12 is so arranged in the container C as to engage the rib 16 to retain the syringe assembly against substantial longitudinal displacement toward the left as seen in FIG. 4 during such tilting. The assembly is also so arranged so that the end adjacent the enlarged end 12a enga-ges the wall 11a at point A to retain the syringe assemblies against longitudinal displacement to the right in FIG. 4 during tilting.

Tamper proof means is provided in the form of a paper strip 13 which is heat sealed to each of the ridges 16a of rib 16. The strip extends across each of the troughs 16b and overlies each of the syringe assemblies 12 thereby assisting in holding the assemblies in place. As each syringe assembly is removed from its recessed trough position, a portion of the overlying paper strip is torn from'the adjacent ridges of rib 16 to provide a positive indication of the removal of the syringe from the package. By mounting the tearing means adjacent the pivot point of the assembly as the assembly is cantilevered about the support rib 16, a maximum moment arm is provided to facilitate the tearing as the assembly is tilted upwardly from the container. By sealing the strip to each ridge of the longitudinal support rib 16, a single strip of paper forms a tamper proof indicator means for each syringe assembly packaged in the container.

Each syringe assembly comprises a barrel 21, a plunger 22, a needle assembly 23 retained within the plunger and an improved sealing cap 24 positively retained on the assembly as a gripping means to facilitate easy removal of the assembly from the container. The outer end of the barrel 21 defines a tubular needle connector having an axially outer distal tip 25. The distal tip has a frusta-conical outer surface narrowing to said tip and a frusto-conical inner surface widening to said tip. The sealing cap is provided with an outer annular wall 24a and an inner plug 24h secured to the end wall 24e of the cap. The annular wall and inner plug form an annular axially inwardly opening groove for receiving the tip 2S and has inner and outer frusto-con-ical surfaces substantially complementary thereto frictionally engaging the tip to provide a positively secured gripping means on the assembly. The cap is also provided with an annular supporting flange 24d extending radially outwardly from its axially inner edge. Since the plug bears radially outwardly against the inner surface of the tip, and the flange bears radially inwardly against the outer surface of the tip, the plug portion preferably extends a distance axially into the tip to a point slightly short of the flange so that these opposite bearing forces can facilitate an improved frictional engagement between the tip and cap. In order to provide improved finger tip grasping of the assembly by the cap, the outer surface of the cap is irregularly shaped as best shown in FIG. 4. It-is contemplated that an irregular surface can be provided by employing means such as grooves, recesses or roughed portions on the surface of the cap to improve the grasping action. The preferred means shown in the drawings comprises a plurality of longitudinally projections or ribs 24e disposed on the outer surface of the cap to improve the finger tip grasping of the assembly by said cap.

From the following description, it will be seen that portions of an individual assembly are employed in combination with portions of the body portion of the container to pivotally remove the assembly from its recessed, tamper proofposition. In removing a syringe assembly from `the container, the support rib 16 acts as a fulcrum about which the syringe assembly is cantilevered for removal. As seen best in FIG. 4, to remove a syringe assembly, a slight force, as by a persons thumb, is applied in the area of the enlarged portion 12a of the connector, generally in the direction of arrow B. This force causes the assembly to pivot about the fulcrum of rib 16 to a position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, and begins the tearing of the paper strip 13. In this position, the assembly may be readily grasped by the cap 24 and easilyremoved from its recessed trough position, and out of the body portion ofthe container without disturbing adjacent assemblies or their sealing strip. As the assembly is removed from the body portion, the indicator strip' 13 is completely torn to provide a positive tamper proof means. Since the assembly is grasped freely at its cap end, the above described construction of the cap facilitates tight fixation between the cap and barrel.

Means for snapping lid 14 into latched engagement with the body portion 11 include an upper peripheral lip 27 on body 11 over which the lid 14 is snapped to releasably close the container C. For the purpose, the cover is provided with an outer downwardly depending peripheral wall 28 having a plurality of locking lugs 29which snap into latched engagement with the lip 27 of the body 11 when the lid is pressed to close the container. Means for facilitating the opening of the container are provided on the cover in the form of an outwardly extending ange 30. The container is preferably formed of a resilient material. Thus, flange 30 and outer wall 28 of the cover can be slightly deformed outwardly from the body portion to disengage the locking lugs 29 from engagement under the peripheral lip 27 of the body, whereupon the lid may easily be removed for access to the syringe assemblies contained therein. I'

Container C is preferably molded of relatively thin dexible plastic to provide a lightweight, inexpensive, throw away container for disposable syringe assemblies. The molded container comprises only two inexpensive portions, i.e. the cover 14 and the body portion 11,` ribs 16, 17 and 18 being molded integrally with the body portion. The plastic material may be transparent to permit free observation of the contents thereof.

Thus we have provided an easily constructed, compact, tamper proof container for a plurality of objects such as hypodermic syringe assemblies, which retains said assemblies in a compact recessed position, and which employs in a unique combination portions of the assembly for easy removal of the assembly from the container. l

While we have shown and described Aone embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, inthe construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A package assembly comprising: an elongated syringe element having an enlarged portion at one end; y

means for containing said element including a support carrying said element with said one end cantilevered therefrom and defining a free space subjacent said one end, the depth of said space being preselected to permit a lmovement of said enlarged portion thereinto by tilting said element about a first portion of said support adjacent said one end such that the opposite end of the element is swung outwardly relative tothe containing means to permit manual grasping thereof for removing the element from the container, said enlarged end being arranged to engage the .support to retain the element against substantial longitudinal displacement toward said opposite end during said tilting; and n frangible means adjacent said first portion for retaining said element on said support and arranged to be bro# ken by said tilting of the element to permit'removal of'the element from the containing means.

2. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein said frangible means comprises a thin strip of tearable material overlying said element and having opposite side portions fixedly secured to said containing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 261,340 7/1882 Gundorph. 521,102 6/1894 Crocker 206-56 X 935,420 9/ 1909 Smith. 1,891,624 12/1932 Graff 206-56 2,720,969 10/1955 Kendall 20S-'43 X FOREIGN PATENTS l 99,129 6/ 1940 Sweden.

THERON E, coNDoN, Primary Examiner. n LOUIS G. MANCENE, I. M. CASKIE, Examiners. 

1. A PACKAGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED SYRINGE ELEMENT HAVING AN ENLARGED PORTION AT ONE END; MEANS FOR CONTAINING SAID ELEMENT INCLUDING A SUPPORT CARRYING SAID ELEMENT WITH SAID ONE END CANTILEVERED THEREFROM AND DEFINING A FREE SPACE SUBJACENT SAID ONE END, THE DEPTH OF SAID SPACE BEING PRESELECTED TO PERMIT A MOVEMENT OF SAID ENLARGED PORTION THEREINTO BY TILTING SAID ELEMENT ABOUT A FIRST PORTION OF SAID SUPPORT ADJACENT SAID ONE END SUCH THAT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE ELEMENT IS SWUNG OUTWARDLY RELATIVE TO THE CONTAINING MEANS TO PERMIT MANUAL GRASPING THEREOF FOR REMOVING THE ELEMENT FROM THE CONTAINER, SAID ENLARGED END BEING ARRANGED TO ENGAGE THE SUPPORT TO RETAIN THE ELEMENT AGAINST SUBSTANTIAL LONGITUDINAL DISPLACEMENT TOWARD SAID OPPOSITE END DURING SAID TILTING; AND FRANGIBLE MEANS ADJACENT SAID FIRST PORTION FOR RETAINING SAID ELEMENT ON SAID SUPPORT AND ARRANGED TO BE BROKEN BY SAID TILTING OF THE ELEMENT TO PERMIT REMOVAL OF THE ELEMENT FROM THE CONTAINING MEANS. 